Legislation under consideration in Annapolis would expedite a trend in restaurants to take aim at child obesity and Type 2 diabetes.Mobile users tap here for videoThe proposal would require restaurants to only offer healthy beverages on its kids' menus. About 3 percent of restaurants have done so voluntarily so far.Bill supporters believe the legislation addresses a serious health problem while opponents see it as government overreach."Your first option in the default drink would be the low-fat milk, 100 percent fruit juice or bottled water. Right now, the default drink is soda, so if you want a (bottle of) water, you have to pay for it," said Delegate Cheryl Glenn, D-Baltimore City.The bill's supporters want to make clear this is not a ban. Sugary drinks, like lemonade and soda, could still be offered, but separately from the children's menu and at the market price."The parents play a large role. We want to give them a choice, so that is what they want their children to have," said Jacqueline Boone Allsup, with the Maryland branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 32 percent of children in Maryland between the ages of 2 and 5 are overweight or obese. A study by the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity finds that drinking just one eight-ounce sugary drink a day increases a child's odds of becoming obese by 60 percent."The science is solid that sugary drinks, such as sodas, fruit punch, lemonades and that, are the main contributor to the twin epidemics of child obesity and Type 2 diabetes," said Robi Rawl, executive director of Sugar-Free Kids Maryland.The bill is meeting stiff opposition by trade groups such as the Maryland, Delaware, Washington, D.C., Beverage Association, which contends a new government mandate on small business is the wrong policy."The beverage industry is providing a whole host of products for parents to choose from, including water, juices and other low-calorie options. Our customers and parents tell us they want choices, not new government mandates," Ellen Valentino, executive vice president of the Maryland, Delaware, Washington, D.C., Beverage Association, said in a statement."I think that people want to do right. Sometimes they just need a push in the right direction," Glenn said.According to supporters, polls indicate overwhelming support among voters. A similar bill introduced late in the session last year failed.Melvin R. Thompson, senior vice president of the Restaurant Association of Maryland, released a statement in opposition, saying, "This legislation is unprecedented in Maryland and the first of its kind nationwide. It unnecessarily interferes with how our industry packages, prices and sells children's meal options.""This legislation increases costs to consumers without any quantifiable benefit. Because restaurants must charge extra for beverages other than the low-fat milk, bottled water or fruit juice that may be included in the price of a child's meal, this legislation seeks to punish parents by charging them more for what proponents believe to be a bad decision. This legislation ignores the fact that parents should be free to make food/beverage decisions for their children without arbitrary restrictions and penalties."Contrary to what this legislation suggests, restaurant children's meals are not solely to blame for childhood obesity. A lack a physical activity, as children today spend more time online or playing video games and less time engaged in physical activity, has been a significant contributor. How often do we see children playing outside in our neighborhoods today?"Restaurants today provide more information and healthier options than ever before. More choices, information, education and increased physical activity are the best ways to combat childhood obesity, not product bans, restrictions and penalties."

ANNAPOLIS, Md. —

Legislation under consideration in Annapolis would expedite a trend in restaurants to take aim at child obesity and Type 2 diabetes.

Related Content

The proposal would require restaurants to only offer healthy beverages on its kids' menus. About 3 percent of restaurants have done so voluntarily so far.

Bill supporters believe the legislation addresses a serious health problem while opponents see it as government overreach.

"Your first option in the default drink would be the low-fat milk, 100 percent fruit juice or bottled water. Right now, the default drink is soda, so if you want a (bottle of) water, you have to pay for it," said Delegate Cheryl Glenn, D-Baltimore City.

The bill's supporters want to make clear this is not a ban. Sugary drinks, like lemonade and soda, could still be offered, but separately from the children's menu and at the market price.

"The parents play a large role. We want to give them a choice, so that is what they want their children to have," said Jacqueline Boone Allsup, with the Maryland branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 32 percent of children in Maryland between the ages of 2 and 5 are overweight or obese. A study by the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity finds that drinking just one eight-ounce sugary drink a day increases a child's odds of becoming obese by 60 percent.

"The science is solid that sugary drinks, such as sodas, fruit punch, lemonades and that, are the main contributor to the twin epidemics of child obesity and Type 2 diabetes," said Robi Rawl, executive director of Sugar-Free Kids Maryland.

The bill is meeting stiff opposition by trade groups such as the Maryland, Delaware, Washington, D.C., Beverage Association, which contends a new government mandate on small business is the wrong policy.

"The beverage industry is providing a whole host of products for parents to choose from, including water, juices and other low-calorie options. Our customers and parents tell us they want choices, not new government mandates," Ellen Valentino, executive vice president of the Maryland, Delaware, Washington, D.C., Beverage Association, said in a statement.

"I think that people want to do right. Sometimes they just need a push in the right direction," Glenn said.

According to supporters, polls indicate overwhelming support among voters. A similar bill introduced late in the session last year failed.

Melvin R. Thompson, senior vice president of the Restaurant Association of Maryland, released a statement in opposition, saying, "This legislation is unprecedented in Maryland and the first of its kind nationwide. It unnecessarily interferes with how our industry packages, prices and sells children's meal options."

"This legislation increases costs to consumers without any quantifiable benefit. Because restaurants must charge extra for beverages other than the low-fat milk, bottled water or fruit juice that may be included in the price of a child's meal, this legislation seeks to punish parents by charging them more for what proponents believe to be a bad decision. This legislation ignores the fact that parents should be free to make food/beverage decisions for their children without arbitrary restrictions and penalties.

"Contrary to what this legislation suggests, restaurant children's meals are not solely to blame for childhood obesity. A lack a physical activity, as children today spend more time online or playing video games and less time engaged in physical activity, has been a significant contributor. How often do we see children playing outside in our neighborhoods today?

"Restaurants today provide more information and healthier options than ever before. More choices, information, education and increased physical activity are the best ways to combat childhood obesity, not product bans, restrictions and penalties."